[Summary] On Allegations of Gambling in the Philippines... Tak Jaehoon "Not True", Lee Jongwon "About 200,000 Won"

Tak Jaehoon "Official Statement to Be Announced Later"
Lee Jongwon "Not Doing It Now... Will Come Out If Investigated"

Singer and broadcaster Tak Jae-hoon / Photo by Tak Jae-hoon Instagram capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Singer and broadcaster Tak Jae-hoon, who has been accused of illegal overseas gambling in the Philippines, has fully denied the allegations, stating that they are "not true." Actor Lee Jong-won, who is also embroiled in the same suspicion, admitted that he did visit the gambling venue but explained that he is not currently gambling.

On the 28th, Tak Jae-hoon said, "The content broadcasted on the YouTube channel is not true. I am currently preparing for legal action," adding, "The official statement will be organized and announced later."

In an interview with 'Korea Economic Daily' on the same day, Lee Jong-won said, "It is true that I went to that place and gambled about 200,000 won, but it was like buying a lottery ticket on the street."

He continued, "At that time, I had a 'second house' in the Philippines. I went there to rest, and when it was cold, my family and I would go together. I also played golf, which I like," explaining, "Then, I naturally interacted with people there, and when they asked me 'Do you want to try once?' I went. It was not that I came and went to the Philippines because of gambling."

He emphasized, "I am not gambling now," and added, "If investigated, it will come out."

However, he stated that he would not take legal action against YouTuber Kim Yong-ho, who raised the overseas gambling allegations. Lee Jong-won said, "I don't know much about the law, so I don't know if the amount I gambled will be a problem or if I will be investigated by the police," adding, "If I had spent a large amount of money and exchanged currency there, it would be called 'hawala,' and it would be caught in the investigation process."

Singer Lee Jong-won / Photo by Asia Economy DB

Earlier, on the 27th, Kim posted a video titled "Celebrity Gambling Addicts, Real Names Revealed" on his YouTube channel 'Kim Yong-ho Entertainment Chief.' In the video, Kim claimed to have obtained a list of celebrities who engaged in illegal overseas gambling at a hotel in the Philippines, mentioning Tak Jae-hoon and Lee Jong-won by name.

Kim stated, "Tak Jae-hoon openly gambled at the 'Kang Sung-beom's Jung Kit Room' in the Philippines," and added, "Although he was previously suspected of overseas gambling, past punishments were related to internet Toto. There were signs of police collusion, but the investigation fizzled out."

Kim also released a recorded phone conversation with Tak Jae-hoon. In the recording, when Kim said, "I received reports that you frequently gambled in the Philippines," Tak Jae-hoon denied, saying, "I don't have money to gamble."

When Kim asked again, "To be specific, I received reports that you gambled at the Okada Hotel casino in the Philippines around April to May 2018," Tak Jae-hoon strongly denied, saying, "No. Sorry, reporter, I don't know who said that, but I would never do that."

Kim also released a recorded phone conversation with Lee Jong-won. In the recording, Lee admitted, "I occasionally went and played the machines. If I had to specify the amount, it was about 200,000 won, which was all my emergency money."

Meanwhile, on the 20th, Kim claimed that actor Kwon Sang-woo and comedian Kang Sung-beom engaged in illegal overseas gambling together. Both parties denied the allegations, calling them "groundless."